U.S. Marine Corps Col. Fredrick Lewis, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni commanding officer, and John Neville, installation fire chief, sign the fire prevention proclamation on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, September 27, 2019. Fire Prevention Week's purpose is to prepare MCAS Iwakuni residents for potential fires. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Trista Whited)
IWAKUNI, JAPAN
09.27.2019
Story by Lance Cpl. Trista Whited
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
U.S Marine Corps Col. Fredrick Lewis, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, and John Neville, installation fire chief, announced the week of October 6-12 to be fire prevention week at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, September 27, 2019. Lewis and Neville inducted fire prevention week by signing a fire prevention proclamation together for the first time.
With the proclamation, Fire Prevention Week is set to take place October 6-12. With fires killing more than 2,630 people in the United States in 2018, according to the National Fire Protection Association and the always-present danger of fires anywhere in the world, Lewis and Neville introduced this prevention week to bring about awareness for residents of MCAS Iwakuni.
Fire prevention and safety is important because of the potential for great amounts of damage to an affected person’s life and possessions caused by a fire. Lewis urges everyone to practice fire safety by the following advice: have an evacuation plan or two, know how to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency and practice a fire escape plan at least once a month.
Fire Prevention Week consists of several events, including; information booths, live fire, extrication and rescue demonstrations, station tours and parent safety tips by the Red Cross. Each of these events will further inform MCAS Iwakuni residents of fire, fire hazards and fire prevention.
The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape.” It serves to remind us that we need to be aware of smoke alarms, the sounds they make, and to have two ways to evacuate all rooms safely.
The fire prevention week will kick off with information booths in Crossroads and the Commissary, October 6-11 from 1100-1230. Then, on Saturday, October 12 activities and demonstrations will begin at Building 6119 from 1030-1500.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Fredrick Lewis, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni commanding officer, and John Neville, installation fire chief, sign the fire prevention proclamation on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, September 27, 2019. Fire Prevention Week's purpose is to prepare MCAS Iwakuni residents for potential fires. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Trista Whited)
